Nitrate problem

[Ryan1221]

I have fluval Osaka 260L. Fluval 406 canister filter, 2 t5 HO light fixture, 70lbs of live rock, and 80lbsof live sand. I run the lights for 8 hours a day.

Livestock includes:
2 true perculas
1 lawnmower blenny
4 electric blue hermit crabs
4 turbos snails
4 Cerith snails
6 scarlet reef hermit crabs

I feed once a day with New Life Spectrum Thera A sinking pellets.

My parameters are:
8.2 PH
0 Ammonia
0 Nitrite
40 Nitrate

How do you I get my nitrates down? I replaced the carbon that the filter came with Chemi Pure Elite.

Need suggestions on what to do as I am new to the hobby.

Help would be greatly appreciated.

 

[Pkunk35]

I have fluval Osaka 260L. Fluval 406 canister filter, 2 t5 HO light fixture, 70lbs of live rock, and 80lbsof live sand. I run the lights for 8 hours a day.

Livestock includes:
2 true perculas
1 lawnmower blenny
4 electric blue hermit crabs
4 turbos snails
4 Cerith snails
6 scarlet reef hermit crabs

I feed once a day with New Life Spectrum Thera A sinking pellets.

My parameters are:
8.2 PH
0 Ammonia
0 Nitrite
40 Nitrate

How do you I get my nitrates down? I replaced the carbon that the filter came with Chemi Pure Elite.

Need suggestions on what to do as I am new to the hobby.

Help would be greatly appreciated.

Just my opinion but I would ditch the canister filter, could be a source of nitrate unless you clean it very often.

Also, you have 80 lbs of live sand in the tank...is it vacuumed often? I'm guessing that is where a lot of the nitrate comes from.

Hey i just looked up fluval Osaka, very nice tank!

 

[Ryan1221]

Thanks I like the tank to. I stir up the sand once a week and I clean the filter once a wek as well. Would a protein skimmer help?

 

[Pappy]

Def need a skimmer IMO. And "stirring up sand bed"? That'll do it. I would start doing water changes (30%) every 2-3 days.

 

[Ryan1221]

Any ideas on skimmers? I don't want a HOB one. The other problem is that I don't have a sump and the place that I could put one is only 10X17 and I can't find any premade ones that will fit in that area. Do you know of any sumps that would fit in that space?

I currently do 10% water change a week.

Is stirring the sand up good or bad?

 

[SeahorseKeeper]

How old is the tank? Also, how do you clean the filter and stir up the sand? Since you are limited on space, I would consider adding a HOB skimmer. I love my Deltec MCE 600.

 

[Saltwatertaylor]

The best thing to do to get nitrates down in water changes. You're using RO water correct?

 

[Ryan1221]

The best thing to do to get nitrates down in water changes. You're using RO water correct?

Yes I am using RO water.

 

[Saltwatertaylor]

Ok good. I would also ditch the canister. I would buy a protein skimmer, vacuum the sand, and do water changes!

 

[Ryan1221]

How old is the tank? Also, how do you clean the filter and stir up the sand? Since you are limited on space, I would consider adding a HOB skimmer. I love my Deltec MCE 600.

My tank is 2 months old. I clean the filter with RO water.

 

[Ryan1221]

Ok good. I would also ditch the canister. I would buy a protein skimmer, vacuum the sand, and do water changes!

I am looking at a Tunze doc protein skimmer 9006 once I get a sump.

 

[MaxCanada]

I am looking at a Tunze doc protein skimmer 9006 once I get a sump.

+1 very good skimmer

 

[Ryan1221]

Just a update. My lfs is going to give me a quote on a custom tank for my cabinet. I want to get a sump as soon as possible.